kar3516 Posted June 3 Share Posted June 3 I mentioned this yesterday on a thread. Today I have pictures. A late style Turbo Beetle pulling a 16’ steel utility trailer with a fiberglass MiGi MGTD replica. Hitch was 2” off the ground. Wonder how it steers…? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zepher Posted June 3 Share Posted June 3 Wow. That looks insanely dangerous. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plymouthcranbrook Posted June 3 Share Posted June 3 How does it steer? Have you ever driven a pontoon boat? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmallregular Posted June 3 Share Posted June 3 I'd be more concerned about how it brakes, and how the car is tied down on the trailer...are the slack chains under the front wheel supposed to be tie-downs? The chains on the hitch aren't even attached. Some people have absolutely zero common sense. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Bennett Posted June 3 Share Posted June 3 I was going to say something (not sure what) in defense of this guy, and his apparently stupid endeavor. But, after noticing that there is no weight equalizing hitch, or weight distribution bars being used, even if the VW is just a kit car body mounted on a small pickup chassis, I doubt it is not a staged photo. Anyone pulling a trailer, loaded with a show car, or whatever, surely understands that getting the trailer moving, on level ground, or on a downhill slope is the easy part. Heck, a trailer, will roll down a hill without a tow vehicle being attached. ”Going” is one thing. “Stopping” is another, and I seriously doubt that, even a Chevy Luv or Ford Ranger, would be able to do that considering I see no trailer brake electrical connection either. Jack 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hook Posted June 3 Share Posted June 3 6 hours ago, Farmallregular said: I'd be more concerned about how it brakes, and how the car is tied down on the trailer...are the slack chains under the front wheel supposed to be tie-downs? The chains on the hitch aren't even attached. Some people have absolutely zero common sense. Ah come on guys. He doesn't need hold downs, he has wood and concrete blocks to stop the wheels. Why would anyone need more? This reminds me of a CJ5 jeep I saw on the outer banks pulling a very large travel trailer. Just remember when you're out there on the road. Common sense is not part of the questions of a drivers test. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hook Posted June 3 Share Posted June 3 Oh one more thing concerning stopping power. When he hits the brakes hard, the MG whatever rolls forward causing the trailer jack to dig into the road and add stopping power. See, problem solved!!!!! 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted June 3 Share Posted June 3 Here was another one: Most ridiculous thing you'll see all day. Sunbeam towing Avanti. - Studebaker Drivers Club Forum Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted June 3 Share Posted June 3 When I first saw the pic, I thought 'what an idiot'. Looking closer I think I was being kind. I think the 4 sale sign is tied down better than the car! This guy should have the whole rig impounded on sight. What a danger to other drivers. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted June 3 Share Posted June 3 3 hours ago, 8E45E said: Here was another one: Most ridiculous thing you'll see all day. Sunbeam towing Avanti. - Studebaker Drivers Club Forum Craig The guy that bought my Avanti knew there was only one way to haul it correctly. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted June 3 Share Posted June 3 Are these VWs front engine? This might be as far as he got. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Cole Posted June 3 Share Posted June 3 But, but, but, officer, my primary tow vehicle is at the dealers for its 60,000-mile service, getting the air replaced in the tires. 2 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted June 3 Share Posted June 3 I saw that tailgate fifth wheel and my immediate thought was "disc brake conversions". 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Dobbin Posted June 3 Share Posted June 3 This thread should be moved to the Towing Forum where legitimate readers can see what not to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod P Posted June 3 Share Posted June 3 Nice touch with the Gooseneck, how he has taken the time to put some dowl in the 4" by 4" wood, so it stays safely centred to the tow hitch. Probably pushing the downward load limit though a touch. If he had hung some tractor weights off the front bumper, would have been a smoother ride?🤔 I would hope most viewers would realise the fringe of reality these extreme towers live in. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee H Posted June 3 Share Posted June 3 The originals were better at this. But he still needs to lose the whitewalls. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted June 3 Share Posted June 3 Give the guy some credit, he did beef up the tailgate support straps with some chain and S hooks! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted June 3 Share Posted June 3 I never would have seen this in the towing section. Lots easier and cheaper to hire my towing needs. Although I might consider a permanently parked trailer to drive cars I have for sale onto. I see a lot of For Sale ads looking like fresh brought home on the trailer. Maybe they bring more money that way. How's that TV show start? "Clear all highways! Clear all highways! Get ready for the Big Score," Honey, make sure the camera is charged. I'm getting this sucker on Facebook tonight! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John348 Posted June 3 Share Posted June 3 I encountered this set up on I 95 a few years ago and was pretty shaky at best going down the road 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralphmyles Posted June 3 Share Posted June 3 5 hours ago, JACK M said: Are these VWs front engine? This might be as far as he got. Yes, transverse and FWD. You wouldn't want to start from a stop going uphill LOL 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hook Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 12 hours ago, Lee H said: The originals were better at this. But he still needs to lose the whitewalls. That would be un-realistic. Most all VW's in the USA at that time wore whitewalls. Anything in the fifties and early sixties without whitewalls was weird. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 13 hours ago, Lee H said: The originals were better at this. But he still needs to lose the whitewalls. I bet a full propane tank on front the trailer would have made all the difference whether that '52 could pull it or not!! I wonder if that's why its missing! Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hook Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 14 hours ago, Lee H said: The originals were better at this. But he still needs to lose the whitewalls. Did anyone notice what looks like an equalizer trailer hitch bar on the trailers A frame? Equalizer or not, I sure would like to see how and where that hitch is mounted to that bug. As far as it not having the propane tank, I think he just forgot to place it on the trailer for his photo. It's not a new bug judging from the rust and the added signal lights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 3 minutes ago, hook said: As far as it not having the propane tank, I think he just forgot to place it on the trailer for his photo. A '52 put out an amazing 30 horsepower, while a '71 Super Beetle progressed to 60 hp. I recall the '71 brochure stated 850 pounds towing capacity for a Super Beetle! Craig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hook Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 42 minutes ago, 8E45E said: A '52 put out an amazing 30 horsepower, while a '71 Super Beetle progressed to 60 hp. I recall the '71 brochure stated 850 pounds towing capacity for a Super Beetle! Craig. Did you notice the terrain in the background? His thirty horses could pull his trailer on that flat surface, provided of course he didn't come across any highway lines!!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hook Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 (edited) 16 hours ago, TAKerry said: Give the guy some credit, he did beef up the tailgate support straps with some chain and S hooks! I guess we'll have to give him even more credit for that carefully crafted support block under the middle of the tailgate with the fine whittled end fitting the ball bolt hole.!!!!!!!!!!!! Gee, I wonder if he had anything to do with the design of the Frances Scott Key bridge in Baltimore. Edited June 4 by hook left out (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 18 hours ago, Rod P said: Nice touch with the Gooseneck, how he has taken the time to put some dowl in the 4" by 4" wood, so it stays safely centred to the tow hitch. Probably pushing the downward load limit though a touch. I also see the heavy duty "S" hooks holding the tail gate up with a hole drilled in the sheet metal. At least they are hooked to a fair sized chain. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 4 hours ago, hook said: Did you notice the terrain in the background? His thirty horses could pull his trailer on that flat surface, provided of course he didn't come across any highway lines!!!! If you can believe, a Type 2 van/Transporter of the same year with an adult passenger in every seat would probably come close to that Beetle/trailer combination!! Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHa Posted June 5 Share Posted June 5 Come on guys, it was only a mile and a half from home. Trailers can be deceiving, however. I borrowed one from my neighbor last week to pick up my mower. It was a standard 16' flatbed wire trailer but the thing bucked and resisted being pulled the whole way. Around 55 mph the trailer started swaying and threatened to flip my truck. I made it there and back and mentioned my troubles to my neighbor; he laughed and said, yea, we hardly use that trailer anymore. Now you tell me! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlier Posted June 7 Share Posted June 7 The driver of the New Beetle Convertible is a serious contender for a Darwin Award. I could easily list over a dozen reasons why the driver might win the award but why waste the time and space here. I would not be surprised that the driver's insurance coverage is bare, state minimum, insurance as well. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted June 7 Share Posted June 7 On 6/3/2024 at 5:29 PM, Lee H said: The originals were better at this. But he still needs to lose the whitewalls. Photo shop?? Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted June 8 Share Posted June 8 Looks legit? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobinVirginia Posted June 8 Share Posted June 8 On 6/3/2024 at 12:13 AM, Farmallregular said: I'd be more concerned about how it brakes, and how the car is tied down on the trailer...are the slack chains under the front wheel supposed to be tie-downs? The chains on the hitch aren't even attached. Some people have absolutely zero common sense. Sadly, there’s nothing common about sense anymore. Getting rarer everyday. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTR Posted June 8 Share Posted June 8 (edited) On 6/2/2024 at 7:15 PM, kar3516 said: I mentioned this yesterday on a thread. Today I have pictures. A late style Turbo Beetle pulling a 16’ steel utility trailer with a fiberglass MiGi MGTD replica. Hitch was 2” off the ground. Wonder how it steers…? Assuming this rig was operated on public roads, it serves as yet another and way too common example where the operator should not only have their driving privilege be promptly revoked, if not forever then at least for extended period and only re-instated after passing rigorous exams & tests of their mental capacities and driving/loading/towing/etc skills, but also get severely fined for endangering all those around them. I could understand people getting away with this kind of stupidity in some 3rd world countries ... Edited June 8 by TTR (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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